City Attorney

This position has an established salary range listed above; however, the starting salary may be negotiable based on relevant experience, qualifications, and skills.

The City Attorney is the City of Murfreesboro’s chief legal officer and general counsel and is responsible for advising and representing the City of Murfreesboro so that it can perform its functions lawfully and with minimal risk. The position requires an individual who is a skilled professional capable of exercising independent judgment and who possesses excellent legal research, writing, and oral communication skills. The individual must have high personal and professional ethical standards and have the personal disposition and character necessary to work effectively with individuals from all levels of the organization (including elected and appointed officials), within the legal community, in judicial forums, and with members of the public.

This position reports directly to the Mayor and Council, although the City Manager, as the City’s chief executive officer and client representative, is ultimately responsible, subject to limitations imposed by the City Charter and the City Attorney’s other legal and ethical obligations, for directing the assignment of work to the City Attorney and ensuring that legal services are responsive to the legitimate needs of the City and are delivered in timely and efficient manner.

Essential Functions:

Provides legal representation and advice to the City and Murfreesboro City Schools (collectively, “City”), through their officials, employees, boards, and commissions, privately and at public meetings, on a variety of complex legal topics.

Directs the management of all litigation and other proceedings in which the City is party and represents the city, whether directly or indirectly through subordinate attorneys or outside legal counsel,  in all legal matters and proceedings in which the city is a party or interested or in which any of its officers are officially interested, 

Drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, policies, administrative directives, general orders, and forms to ensure compliance with applicable laws, often developing these documents collaboratively with other City employees.

Prepares, reviews, and approves contracts and other legal documents in connection with procurements and a wide variety of real estate and other transactions and when requested assists with negotiation of these transactions.

Issues legal opinions on bonds, loans and grant assurances, and in connection with other business transactions and legal obligations of the City as requested by Cit Council, City Manager, or Chief Financial Officer/City Recorder and as otherwise required by law

Responds to legal inquiries by City officials and staff often requiring legal and factual research and preparation of written opinions. Researches and analyzes complex legal issues and prepares legal advice relative to a broad variety of areas of the law including municipal law, employment, regulatory compliance, constitutional, public safety, real estate, zoning, land use, contract, collections, tax, bankruptcy, tort, education, and workers’ compensation.

Attends all City Council meetings, or ensures the attendance of a subordinate attorney when the City Attorney is unable to attend.

Prepares/reviews correspondence or other documents regarding the City’s position on significant, controversial or 

confidential matters.

Manages the day-to-day operations of the City’s Legal Department, manages the delivery of legal services, and supervises the work of both Legal Department staff and outside legal counsel, except as otherwise provided by the 

City Charter, Ordinance, City Policy, or the City Attorney’s employment agreement.

Implements the Legal Department Operational Service Delivery policy, developing any needed procedures, and ensuring it is carried out in conjunction with the City Manager.

Additional Duties:

Performs other work as assigned.

Physical Demands:

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Requires a Juris Doctor degree. Requires ten years of professional legal experience including supervisory experience and substantial experience representing one or more local government entities.

Pre-employment requirement

Must be willing to consent to and participate in consumer and/or investigative consumer report (background check) with satisfactory results.

Must be able to communicate with others in written English to ensure the safe and efficient operations of the business.

Executes employment agreement with the City, as well as a memorandum of understanding among the City Council, City Attorney and City Manager regarding the management of the City Attorney.

Special Certifications and Licenses:
Must have a State of Tennessee license to practice law.  

CITY OF MURFREESBORO

LEGAL DEPARTMENT OPERATIONAL SERVICE DELIVERY POLICY: